Link device.



F. A. NILSSON.

LINK DEVICE.

APPUCATION FILED SEPT. 26, 1912.

1,293,8%., Patented Feb. 11, 191i).

2 SHEETS-SHEET I F, A. NILSSUN.

LINK DEVICE.

APPLICAYION FILED SEPT. 26, 1911.

1,293,884 Patented Feb. 11, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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Specification of Eettera Patent.

Patented Feb. is, low.

Application filed September ac, 1917. serial No. 198,261.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Fnrrz ALBERT NILS-\ soN, a subject of the King of Sweden, residing at Jonkoping, in the Kingdom of Sweden, have invented a new anduseful Improvement in Link Devices, of which the following is a specification.

The link devices heretofore used for trans-' mitting motion from one rocking arm to another with equal or difierent angles of turning, or from a member reciprocating in a straight path to a turning arm, or reversely,

have chiefly consisted of a rod of greater or less length provided in each end with an aperture or eye, in which apertures or eyes plus or studs project, and in this manner the motion has been transmitted between the rocking and the reoiprocatinmember.

When transmitting great forces 1t has been when subjected to great stresses.

necessary'to make the links and the pins of considerable dimensions. Such a link must also possess a certain and not too small distance between the centers of the apertures,

in order that no breaking shall occur when Y transmitting the motion.

In the a plication of the mechanical movements a ove referred to it is often desirable, particularly when the space is very much limited, to make the link or the member transmitting motion, of small dimensions without losing strength or durability This is not possible, however, or at least only in solitary cases, with the ordinary link device above referred to. 4

The present invention refers to a link device of such character that it transmits the motion in the same manner as an ordinary link, but without breakin at the same time as it is of small dimensions and possesses great strength and durability against wear. These properties of the link are attained by providing the same with two or several series of annular or curved grooves or ribs which are concentric within each series, but which seriesa-re out of center relatively to one another. The members, for instance rotatable arms or members guided rectilinearly, between which the link is to transmit motion, are provided with annular or curved ribs or grooves fitting the different series and which enter into and are mov able in the above-named grooves or ribs in thelink.

Now, if the space within which the link and the arms or the member guided rectilinearly are to be used, is much limited, the link may be shortened by cutting ofi the same at the two center lines of the grooves, or even inside the center lines, so that only the middle portion remains, without its action being altered. The parts meshing with the grooves in the link are out ofi' at corresponding places- In this manner a very short link is obtained which transmits the motion in exactly the same manner as a long link while being guided by the grooves around two centers which do not lie within the link itself, but which lie in the space wholly outside the same. It is also possible through both centers so that only one half of the link remains, without the action becoming changed. Practically, a portion of the link may 'be taken anywhere, even altogether outside one center or both centers, and it may be used in the same manner as an entire link.

By distributing the pressure on a great number of grooves the greatest possible strength as well as endurance to-wear are attained.

The device is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 illustrates an ordinary link viewed from the side, and Fig. 2 the same viewed from above. Fig. 3 shows a plan view of a link according to this inventionbefore being out off and Fig. 4 shows a longitudinal section of the same. Figs. 5 and 6 show corresponding views of the links after the same has been reduced in length, and Figs. 7 and 8 show corresponding views of the link having been reduced in breadth. Fig. 9 shows a side view and Fig. 10 shows a top view of an ordinary link device, while to cut 0d the original link along a line- Fig. 11 shows a side view and Fig. 12 a top curved grooves on one side of the link, while 2 denotes the grooves on the other side,

Figs. 7 and 8 the link has been reduced to p one half of its breadth. Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate how an ordinary link 5 transmits motion from a rocking arm 6 to a shorter arm 7, or reversely. Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate the same transmission .of motion according to the present invention. It w1ll be seen from the drawing that this device does not require equally. large space. Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate the manner of transmitting motion according to the present invention, from a rectilinearly guided member 8 by means of I a link 9 to a rotatable arm or disk 10, or reto be capable of bein versely. This latter device may advantageously be used for propellers w1th adjustable blades.

As is well known, the purpose of providing a propeller with rotatable blades 1s to realize an-arrangeme'nt by means of WhlCh the boat may be driven ahead and astern without the direction of rotation of the propeller shaft having to be changed. Nowa-' days the propeller blades are also required adjusted parallelly with the direction of t e keel, when sailing. For this purpose the propeller blades must be capable of bein turned about-120.

Figs. 15 to 20 ilustrate a two-blade left hand propeller arranged according to the present invention. The propeller shaft 11 is hollow and a rod 12 slides lengthwise in the same, said rod being arranged by suitable means such as screws, hand-spikes or the like to be moved forward and back into and to be secured in diflt'erent positions. The rod 12 is rigidly connected to a member 13 guided rectilinearly, which when moving the rod 12 is thus moved rectilinearl forward and backward. The two lin s 14 transmit the motion to the propeller blades 16 the journals 18 of which are journaled in the propeller head 15. Each link 14 is provided on both sides with annular or curved grooves and ribs 19, 20, which engage ribs and grooves in the member 13 and in a flange 25 secured to the journal 18 of each propeller blade. The annular grooves in the link 14 on the side directed toward the flange 25 are concentric around the center 22, while the ooves on the side directed toward the mem er 13 are concentric around the center 23. Between these two centers there must be a certain distance. If they coincide, that is to say if they are located opposite each other there can be no movement, the device becomin the drawin the one center is in this case outside the link itself and the link turns around an imaginary center in the space.

Fig. 17 illustrates the positions of the different members when the propeller blades are adjusted for ahead, and Fig. 18 the position for astern. Intermediate these ositions there is a stop position. Fig. 19 illustrates the positions of the members when the propeller blades are adjusted for sailmg The device operates in the following manner:

When moving the rod 12 in the direction of the arrow 28 (Fig. 17 the member 13 is also moved rectilinearly in the same direction. The link 14 is then also forced to partlcipate in the movement, and it also engaging the annular grooves in the flange 25 of the propeller blade, which rooves are out of center with the journal 1 there will result a turning moment on the propeller blade which is thus turned. Fig. 18 shows the position of the propeller blade for astern.

continued, the position for sailing is obtamed (Fig. 19). While the propeller blade 1s thus turned around the journal 18 the link 14 is given a peculiar but entirely definite If the movement of the rod 12 is further comes very nearly equal to the movement obtained by means of a toothed sector and a toothed rack. In other words, the same turning efl'ect and the same power are obtamed in any position of the rod 12. In this regard the present device is essentially distmgulshed from heretofore known links or the like. It is well known that the turning effect and the force are constantly varied in such devlces, nor is it possible to obtain so great an angle of turning, as locking takes place long before.

Instead of two propellerblades as shown in the drawing three or several may be used by prov1ding a corresponding number of links and by providing the member 13 with an equal number of sides.

I claim:

1. In a link device, the combination of a link provided with at least two series of curved coves and ribs which are concentr1c wit 'n each series but which series are out of center relatively to one another, a

grooves fittin into the other series of and ribs which series are out of center relagrooves and ri s of the link substantially as tively to one another and one of which fits and for the purpose set forth. into the series of grooves and ribs of the said 2. Inal ink device for reversing the blades member, a propeller blade, a journal for 15 6 of propellers with rotatable blades, the comsaid blade journaled in the propeller head, bination of a propeller head, a member slidand a flange on said journal provided with ing in said head in the longitudinal direca series of curved grooves and ribs fittin tion of the propeller shaft said member beinto the other series of grooves and ribs 0% ing provided with a series of concentric the link, substantially as and for the pur- 2o 10 curved grooves and ribs, a link rovided pose set forth. a

with two series of concentric curv grooves FRITZ ALBERT NILSSON. 

